Why is Seattle’s homelessness problem getting worse not better? Some people are blaming it on theincrease in rent in Seattle, so people just can’t afford to pay their rent. Some people living on the streetssay it’s because of eviction, rent increase, and foreclosure. Others claim that more affordable housing andrental assistance could help them get out of homelessness.

One of the reasons we haven’t started building affordable housing in Seattle is because, Seattle land costsmore than anywhere else in both King and Snohomish counties. Also, construction costs the most inSeattle. And, a lot of people are pointing fingers at the growing opioid crisis as a major cause. Everyone iscurious about what Seattle is going to do about the problem. Well, more affordable housing, and rehabbuildings seems like an easy enough idea especially since there are about 300 vacant lots in Seattle ownedby various government departments.

So why are we not building? Also, why don’t we have more permanent housing situations? A lot of peopleare also worried about after we build affordable housing how we are going to get people off drugs, and getthem mentally stable. And make them want to keep a job and stay off drugs.

Edward Armstrong

Bothell